Pratl found himself in fourth place in a race for three seats on the Chicago Ridge Village Board.

But only three votes separated him from incumbent Jack Lind, who was in third place with 654 votes, according to unofficial results.

Pratl was not prepared to concede the race.

“We are really not sure,” said Pratl, a former village trustee. “I’d rather not say anything. We have to look at everything. We want to make sure all the absentee ballots were counted.”

The top two vote getters in the six-way race were Frances Coglianese, who garnered 716 votes, and William McFarland, who received 666 votes.

Incumbent Dan Badon took fifth place with 574 votes and challenger Dave Conrad, a member of the Chicago Ridge Park Board, came in last with 477 votes.

Incumbent Michael Davies decided not to seek re-election.

Pratl, a member of the School District 218 board, ran an aggressive campaign and said he was a victim of negative campaigning in the final days of the race.

Lind was cautiously optimistic on Tuesday.

“Three votes is three votes,” Lind said.

Lind said Pratl ran “a great campaign” that was not negative.

Lind added, however, that his own decision to run a positive campaign probably cost him votes.

“The last few last elections were worse and worse,” said Lind, who added that Coglianese ran a negative campaign.

Coglianese disputed that charge, saying the dirty campaigning was aimed at her by other candidates.

“I’m so glad that it’s done and over,” said Coglianese, a former village employee.

She said she ran for trustee because the board needs fresh faces and to help guide the development of the Yellow truck terminal. She also wants to restore village services such as public works, she said.

“Everything is falling apart,” Coglianese said.

She said receptive residents along with supportive friends and family are responsible for getting her elected.